Passing judgments not the role of the press: Omar Abdullah

The media nowadays has become mentor, investigator and prosecutor but passing judgments and jumping to conclusions is in no way the role of the press, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today.

"The media nowadays has become a mentor, investigator and prosecutor but it should leave the role of judge to the people", Omar said during the launch of Jammu edition of The Tribune newspaper here.

"There are so many examples before us where the media passes judgments and the facts ultimately turn out differently. This is the point which pinches the shoe", he said.

"You may act as prosecutors but passing judgments and jumping to conclusions is in no way the role of the press. When the story, upon which the media has passed judgment, turns otherwise, it cannot be reversed, as the damage is already done", the chief minister said.

Omar stressed the importance of newspapers reporting fair and objective news in the right perspective and said "the passing of judgments without ascertaining facts and biased projection of reports and individual slants is the cause for sleepless nights".

The chief minister described the media as one of the important pillars of democracy and highlighted its impact on the minds of the people.

Omar also expressed surprise over the "hype" created by the media on certain issues and remaining totally quiet when facts are proved otherwise and cited the example of the children of an NRI couple in Norway.